DLA Architecture has secured full planning consent, on behalf of its client
Freshwater, to deliver a new £40 million residential led development on
Sevenoaks High Street in Kent.
Chandlers Place is the proposed redevelopment of a former Tesco store to
deliver new homes in the centre of the historic town. The regeneration project
will also provide new complementary retail to the high street as well as high
quality public realm connecting the town centre to the Cultural Quarter.
Council officers approved the plans commenting that the proposal was a
well-designed building which was sustainable and would bring much needed
affordable housing into the town centre.
The development aims to transform the current 1-acre derelict site into an
integrated public realm environment providing 104 new apartments and three
retail units with an underground car park, 122 cycle bays and a broad
pedestrian walkway.
Charles Jabre, Project Leader for DLA Architecture said “We are pleased to
secure planning consent on behalf of Freshwater which is a long-term
client. Our design approach has been contextual, drawing upon the
historical architecture of Sevenoaks to create a contemporary, narrative led
design response with high quality homes.
“Chandler’s Place is designed to open up the site for the local
neighbourhood through the inclusion of a high-quality new public realm along
the High Street and a dedicated public pedestrian route linking to the
Kaleidoscope Arts centre as part of the town’s cultural quarter.”
Mark Newton of Total Property Solutions, development and project managers on
behalf of Freshwater, said, “We are pleased to work in partnership with DLA
Architects on this redevelopment. The design team has shown great vision
for transforming a prominent but redundant building into much needed new homes
in the area. The design interacts well with the public realm with much
improved pedestrian links and great consideration to the conservation needs.”
The professional team also included Elliot Wood as Structural Engineer, ESD
as MEP consultants, Connect Consultants as transport planners and Freeth’s as
planning consultants.
DLA Architecture is an award-winning practice which employs over 80
architects, landscape architects, technologists and graphic designers.
Established over 40 years ago the practice has offices in London, Leeds and
Manchester. Its expertise covers a broad range of sector including
learning, sport, industry, care, workplace, housing, retail, conservation and
re-use.
DLA has considerable expertise in designing new community spaces and
housing. It recently completed the award-winning Hackney Gardens, a
significant new project comprising community space and housing in
Hackney. The £21 million scheme was an enabling development between
developer, Thornsett, The London Diocesan Fund (LDF) and The Parochial Church
Council (PCC) of St John at Hackney. It also appointed on Equipment Works
in London, the Broadway in Wimbledon and Kelly’s Yard in Hepburn.
